Viet-Am Service Learning Summer Program

In 2007, VIA launched a summer service-learning program in Vietnam for undergraduates and recent college graduates of Vietnamese heritage.  The goal of this program is to encourage young Vietnamese-Americans to explore their heritage, learn about social issues in Vietnam, and give back to their community.  Four to six volunteers will learn about local programs aimed at improving the social and economic conditions in Vietnam, reflect on how to give back as Vietnamese-Americans, and make long-lasting friendships with Vietnamese of all ages and backgrounds.

Orientation: The Viet-Am summer program begins with a short orientation in HCMC, organized by a Summer Program Coordinator (SPC) who also serves as a teaching mentor and liaison with local partners. Orientation consists of general acclimatization, visits to nonprofits and community leaders, and an optional weekend trip. After orientation, volunteers and the SPC travel together by bus to Long Xuyen, where they will have a few days to settle in before volunteer activities commence. Long Xuyen is the remote but bustling capital city of An Giang province.  It is located by the Mekong River Delta, six hours from Ho Chi Minh City and three hours from the Cambodian border. The population of Long Xuyen is approximately 200,000. Accommodations will be basic.

Teaching: Volunteers will plan and create a Social Issues in America course for students of An Giang University (AGU).  The course is designed to improve the listening and speaking skills of Vietnamese students and to introduce new vocabulary and concepts.  Volunteers and students will have an opportunity to share and learn from one another’s understanding of social issues in their own and each other’s countries. Volunteers should have some knowledge of and interest in issues such as environmentalism, civil rights movement, women's movement, education, immigration, poverty, or race and discrimination.

Service-Learning: In addition to teaching, volunteers will participate in a service-learning component.  The SPC will facilitate discussions and volunteers will be expected to conduct research, make short presentations, and submit reflective writing pieces on the Vietnamese-American experience and community needs in Vietnam. Volunteers may also have the opportunity to work with a local anti-trafficking nonprofit which increases educational opportunities for young girls in the community. More information including program structure and calendar will be available later. Please check the website again in January 2008.

Program Dates: Dates for the Viet-Am summer program will most likely run from the last week in June to the second week in August. At the conclusion of the program, volunteers may travel independently through the rest of Vietnam.

Program Includes: In-country cultural and teacher training, visa, medical insurance, local ground transportation, hotel and dormitory accommodations, and SPC and home office support.

Questions?: Call or email VIA's Vietnam Program Director, Christine Tran, with questions or ask to be put in touch with current or former volunteers!

See a list of important dates or download an application.

Volunteers visited a vocational training program.	Volunteers on home visits in the countryside.	A volunteer and an AGU student enjoy final ceremony festivities.